IC-R15 microSD Card: Backup, CSV Import/Export & SD Card Mode

Summary: Everything the IC-R15 stores on its microSD card: settings backups, the CSV memory files, SD Card Mode, the folder layout and how to back up to a PC.

What Is Stored on the Card

Receiver settings, voice recordings, screen captures, Memory channel contents, FM Radio memory, and pictures for the Opening Picture setting.

Saving Settings

MENU, SET, SD Card, Save Setting, <<New File>>, then ENT and YES (a progress bar shows). The default name is SetYYYYMMDD_xx. To choose your own name, hold [CLEAR] to delete the characters, type a name and push ENT. To overwrite an existing file, choose that file instead of <<New File>>. Data is saved in the icf format that the CS-R15 software can edit.

Save your settings before you load or import anything.

Loading Settings

MENU, SET, SD Card, Load Setting, choose the file, YES. “COMPLETED!” shows; restart the receiver. This also lets you copy Memory channels and settings to another IC-R15 (cloning; see IC-R15 Screen Capture, Opening Picture & Cloning).

The Card’s Folders

• IC-R15 – the top folder made by the receiver
• Capture – screen captures (bmp or png)
• Csv – contains MemoryCh (Memory channel CSV files) and RadioMemory (FM Radio memory CSV files)
• OpeningPicture – bmp pictures for the opening screen
• Setting – saved settings (icf)
• Voice – recordings, in YYYYMMDD folders (wav)

Importing a CSV File

You can import or export Memory CH and FM Radio Memory as CSV files.

1. Make a backup of all the receiver’s data first (Save Setting) in case of data loss.
2. MENU, SET, SD Card, Import/Export, Import.
3. Choose Memory CH (or FM Radio Memory) and then the CSV file. The receiver can’t show files with names of 21 characters or more, so keep names to 20 or fewer.
4. Choose YES. When “COMPLETED!” shows, restart the receiver.

Exporting a CSV File

MENU, SET, SD Card, Import/Export, Export, choose Memory CH (or FM Radio Memory), <<New File>>, ENT, YES. Files are named MchYYYYMMDD_xx (Memory CH) or RadioYYYYMMDD_xx (FM Radio). Choose an existing file to overwrite it.

The CSV Format (Separator and Decimal)

MENU, SET, SD Card, Import/Export, CSV Format, Separator/Decimal chooses how the CSV is written and read:

• Sep [,] Dec [.] – comma separator, full stop decimal (the default on many versions)
• Sep [;] Dec [.] – semicolon separator, full stop decimal
• Sep [;] Dec [,] – semicolon separator, comma decimal

The default may differ by receiver version. The receiver’s setting must match the file being imported. Squawker PC has a matching “Scanner CSV Format” choice, and Squawker Online’s IC-R15 export uses semicolons with comma decimals; see IC-R15 Loading Frequencies From Squawker PC & Squawker Online.

SD Card Mode (Direct PC Access)

With a card in the receiver and a data-capable USB cable, you can reach the card from a PC without removing it.

1. Connect the receiver to the PC.
2. MENU, SET, Function, USB Connect, SD Card Mode, then YES.
3. The card’s IC-R15 folder appears on the PC.
4. When finished, use “Eject” in the Windows taskbar and wait for “Safe to Remove Hardware” before unplugging.

In SD Card Mode the receiver works only as a storage device: it stops recording, disconnects Bluetooth and disables Auto Power OFF. To use the receiver normally, or for CI-V remote control, set USB Connect back (see below). If the card isn’t in when you connect, turn the receiver off, insert it and reconnect.

USB Connect options: Charge Only; Serialport (default; CI-V remote control and programming, needs the Icom USB driver, shows the USB icon); SD Card Mode.

Backing Up to a PC

Put the card in a card reader (or use SD Card Mode), open the drive, copy the whole IC-R15 folder to a backup folder on the PC, and eject safely. Do this regularly: cards have a limited life, and a card that can’t be read or written has reached the end of its life. Also, never remove the card while it’s being accessed, or change the external supply’s voltage during access, and don’t drop it.

Firmware

Firmware updates also use this card: see IC-R15 Firmware Updates & Maintenance.